A toilet cistern works by pulling water from a tank and sending it into the toilet bowl each time you flush. When a cistern stops working, it or its valves and mechanisms may have become cracked or damaged. The cistern will need to be removed or replaced in order to get your toilet working properly again.
How does a toilet cistern fill valve work?
Once all the water has been emptied, the flush valve drops back down, and the cistern is ready for the fill valve to replace all the water. So simply put, you push the flush button, the connecting cable pulls up the flush valve, the water is forced out of the cistern and into the toilet bowl, and then the valve drops back down.
How to replace a toilet cistern?
Before installing your new toilet cistern, you need to remove your old one. But first, you need to get rid of any water that’s inside. Flush the toilet and turn off the water supply, which is done by turning the isolation valve on the water pipe clockwise. Flush the toilet again to remove any excess water, it shouldn’t start to refill.
What is the purpose of a cistern overflow?
This toilet cistern overflow drain has the sole function of preventing the toilet cistern from over-filling and spilling into the building. During toilet tank re-fill, if the tank over-fills, the overflow tube (blue #7 in sketch at left) will excess water from the toilet reservoir tank down the overflow tube (#8) into the toilet bowl.
What are the parts of a cistern and how they work?
And if you look inside your cistern, you will see there are only two parts to perform these tasks, the fill valve and the flush valve. Let’s break it down and see exactly what happens and why. As you may have guessed, the job of the fill valve, or ballcock, is to fill the cistern with water.
How does a toilet water cistern work?
The toilet cistern is connected to a water feed which allows water to enter and fill up the cistern. There is a valve that will switch this water off when full. When we flush the toilet, the controls open an outlet at the bottom of the cistern, allowing the water to fall through an opening and down into the toilet pan.
How does a cistern fill with water?
0:411:47How does a toilet fill valve work? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd into the toilet bowl as the water level goes down the float in the fill valve goes down toMoreAnd into the toilet bowl as the water level goes down the float in the fill valve goes down to allowing water to flow into the tank.
How do old toilet cisterns work?
A toilet cistern works by pulling water from a tank and sending it into the toilet bowl each time you flush. When a cistern stops working, it or its valves and mechanisms may have become cracked or damaged. The cistern will need to be removed or replaced in order to get your toilet working properly again.
Why do cisterns have two buttons?
The toilet has two buttons on the cistern rather than the single-flush one; one button delivers a lesser amount of water (eg. 3 litres) and the other a greater amount (eg. 6 litres). It also uses a larger 10 cm trapway in the bowl, allowing for water to come out faster and clear the bowl efficiently.
Do cisterns need to be cleaned?
You need to clean the cistern to remove sediment and other contaminants. It's a good idea to clean your cistern at the following times: at least 1 time a year to remove sludge and sediment buildup.
How long will water last in a cistern?
A 15,000 L or 3,300 Imperial gallon cistern will store enough water to meet the demand of an average household of four for two-to-three months. Some situations, such as a low yield well system, will require smaller storage amounts.
How much does it cost to replace a toilet cistern UK?
If it needs to be replaced, you can expect to pay for both parts and labour. On average, materials will cost you around £20, whereas labour will set you back around £65 per hour depending on your plumber's going rate. You can expect a replacement to take between one to two hours depending on the complexity.
Do you need a plumber to install a cistern?
Apart from the bowl and the pipes and drains that deliver the water and take away the waste, your toilet is all about the cistern. And while you'll need a licensed plumber to do all the plumbing work around your place, replacing a toilet cistern is something you're allowed to do yourself.
What is the problem when a toilet won't flush?
A clog is the most common reason for a toilet that doesn't flush. Clogs can range in severity, from a complete blockage to a partial obstruction. Wipes, toilet paper and other items can build up in sewer lines, which could result in slow flushing that doesn't completely clear the bowl.
Which button do I push on a dual flush toilet?
To use a dual flush toilet, push the small button to flush liquids and the big button to flush solids. If the dual flush toilet uses a flushing handle it will be indicated how to push. Some toilets use a green color to indicate the less water option.
How does a 2 button toilet work?
They feature two different buttons to perform two different kinds of flushes. The difference in buttons depends on the waste in the toilet. One button for liquid waste, another for solid waste. According to studies, this system can help save up to 67 percent of water used to flush, and in return, saves you money.
What happens if you push both buttons on a dual flush toilet?
What happens if you push both buttons on a dual flush toilet? Pressing both buttons on the dual flush toilet gets the same result as just pushing on the larger button. It releases a maximum of six litres of water to rinse the bowl.
Why would a house have a cistern?
Roof-catchment cisterns are systems used to collect and store rainwater for household and other uses. A system of gutters and downspouts directs the rainwater collected by the roof to the storage cistern.
Why do old houses have cisterns?
Cisterns are stone wells that are often found in older houses or landscaping. A cistern is designed to act as a water reservoir, holding the water until it's needed. Traditional cisterns cannot be used for drinking water, but if you have a cistern in your basement there are several ways you can use it.
Why isn't my cistern filling up?
The main reason for a toilet tank not filling or filling slowly is due to the toilet fill valve. The most common reasons for the fill valve to slow down or no longer fill the tank after the flush are debris issues and the length of time a fill valve has been in use.
How do you fully empty a cistern?
0:161:38Plumbing Advice : How to Empty the Toilet Tank Completely - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo first thing you want to do shut the water off flush the toilet hold the handle down for a fewMoreSo first thing you want to do shut the water off flush the toilet hold the handle down for a few seconds till. The water drains out take your sponge reach down in there suck. That water out.
What are the two parts of a toilet?
The internal parts of the toilet have two main jobs: to fill the tank and to empty the tank. And if you look inside your cistern, you will see there are only two parts to perform these tasks, the fill valve and the flush valve. Let’s break it down and see exactly what happens and why.
What happens when a toilet fill valve is activated?
There is a rubber seal at the bottom of the flush valve, and when the the valve is activated, this rubber seal lifts up and forces water out of the cistern and into the toilet bowl. Once all the water has been emptied, the flush valve drops back down, and the cistern is ready for the fill valve to replace all the water.
What is the function of a flush valve?
The flush valve’s job is to rush water from the cistern into the toilet bowl to wash away waste. We begin this operation by pushing the flush button, which is connected by a cable to the flush valve.
Is the toilet easy to understand?
But that sophistication doesn’t mean that they are complicated and convoluted. The internal body is actually very straight-forward and easy to understand. Read on to learn about how your toilet works. Knowing the basics will give you an advantage whenever you have a fault or need to repair a part, and that information is much less complicated than you might have imagined.
How does a toilet cistern work?
A toilet cistern works by pulling water from a tank and sending it into the toilet bowl each time you flush. When a cistern stops working, it or its valves and mechanisms may have become cracked or damaged. The cistern will need to be removed or replaced in order to get your toilet working properly again.
What is a toilet cistern?
The cistern is the upper part of your toilet. If you imagine your toilet in the shape of a letter ‘L’, a cistern is the top, vertical part of this ‘L’.
What is a high level cistern?
High-Level Cistern: Another style of cistern for a traditional toilet with a pull lever. These cisterns are fixed high up on your wall above the pan. They will often require a step or step ladder for access.
What is a close coupled toilet?
Most modern toilets these days have the cistern directly mounted on the toilet bowl - this is called a close coupled toilet. The types of cisterns include: Close Coupled Cistern: As we’ve mentioned, the cistern is connected very close to the pan. Low-Level Cistern: A style of cistern for traditional toilets. These cisterns are fixed just ...
How do toilets fill?
Toilet cisterns are filled by having water enter the cistern via a supply pipe. The water supply for the system is controlled by a valve. This valve is, in turn, controlled by a plastic float.
How to get rid of excess water in toilet?
Flush the toilet again to remove any excess water, it shouldn’t start to refill. If there is a small amount of water left, soak it up using a towel.
Why replace a cistern?
You would only be replacing a cistern for two reasons: style or there’s a fault. A cistern can develop problems for a number of reasons, from large-scale issues to lack of maintenance.
How does a toilet cistern work?
Toilet cisterns fill up with water via a water supply pipe. The water supply inside the cistern is controlled by a valve. This valve is controlled most commonly with a plastic float. This float monitors the amount of water in the cistern and will open and close the valve as necessary. Once the toilet is flushed, the float will recognise that there is no water in the cistern, and this will cause the valve to open so that water can enter. The water will stop entering when it reaches a certain level.
How to attach a cistern to a pan?
Begin by taking a black bung and place it over the washer and nut at the bottom of the syphon. Place two plastic bolts through the appropriate holes in the cistern.
What Safety Equipment Do I Need to Install a Toilet Pan and Cistern?
There is no recommended safety equipment for this type of job. However, you may wish to use knee pads as you may spend a lot of time sitting on the floor during the installation.
How to secure seat on a car?
Put a washer and nut on the connector where it pokes through the hole on the pan and tighten them up to ensure the seat is secure.
How to tighten a toilet nut?
Tighten the nut by hand until it’s tight. Once it’s tight, pop the lid onto the toilet and check that the flush button is working.
How do I install flexi pipe on a toilet?
Once your toilet is secured to the wall and floor, you can then install the flexi pipe. You will need to connect it to your cold water supply and into the toilet inlet valve. Connect to both using the nuts provided and use your spanner to tighten the nuts.
How to remove limescale from toilet pan?
You can remove limescale from a toilet pan by mixing vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the limescale and then scrub it away. Be sure to use gloves when cleaning the toilet.
How does a water saving toilet work?
Water saving toilets use several strategies to reduce the volume of water used in flushing away waste: varying flush volume, pressure or power assisted flush using a small flush water volume, and reduced flush water volume using a reservoir barrier in th cistern or toilet tank.
How long have tank toilets been in use?
Tank reservoir toilets have been in wide use since the 1940's and some tank reservoir or cistern flushed toilets have been in use for more than 100 years. At left we see the flush handle on a modern tank or cistern operated gravity flush toilet. [Click to enlarge any image]
What is a flapper type toilet?
Flapper type toilet flush valve: (photo at left) (see below) is a toilet flush valve that closes the opening at the bottom of the toilet tank using a semi-round flapper (usually rubber) rather than the rounded tank ball shown in the sketch.
What does the flush handle do in a toilet?
The toilet flush handle shown here, when pushed down, lifts the flush lever inside the tank in order to lift or open the flush valve (flapper valve) to flush the toilet.
What does a float arm do in a toilet?
At the end of the flush cycle, a float arm, or a float moving on a vertical stalk (newer valves) drops to open a valve permitting the toilet tank to refill with water. Re-Filling the Toilet Cistern or Tank: When the toilet tank water level reaches the proper level, the float closes the toilet tank fill valve.
Why does the toilet flapper stay in the open position?
The shape and position of the flapper cause it to remain in the open position until the water level in the toilet tank drops to nearly empty , then the flapper "flaps" down over the drain opening to stop the toilet flush cycle and to permit the toilet fill cycle to begin anew.
What are the different types of toilets?
This article series describes the different types and models of toilets: historical or old toilet types, wooden high wall-tank toilets, conventional reservoir tank toilets, low-flush toilets, water saving toilets, back-flush toilets, up-flush toilets, and even chemical toilets . Here we explain how to diagnose and repair problems with toilets, leaks, flushes, odors, noises, running and wasted water.
How does a toilet work?
Refer to the illustration at right. A toilet has two main parts—the tank and the bowl. The bowl holds water and connects to the drain for disposing of waste water and waste.
What are the parts of a toilet?
A toilet has two main parts—the tank and the bowl. The bowl holds water and connects to the drain for disposing of waste water and waste. The tank, which sits up behind the bowl, contains reserve water for refilling the bowl plus the devices for flushing clean water into the bowl and refilling the tank. One of these devices—called ...
What is the valve called when you pull the flapper off the toilet?
The valve and the flapper together are called—not surprisingly—the flapper valve. Tripping the lever simply lifts the rubber flapper off the valve and…whoosh, the water flows into the toilet bowl! A flush valve is 2 1/2 inches in diameter as is the ball-shaped part of the flapper.
What is the name of the valve that flushes water into the toilet?
When a conventional toilet is flushed, water from the tank rushes into the bowl through an orifice called the flush valve. Before you trip the lever, this valve is plugged with a rubber stopper, called a tank ball, flush valve seat ball, or the newer, more effective flapper or flapper ball. Find Pre-Screened Plumbers Near You.
What is a ballcock in a tank?
One of these devices—called a ballcock—is connected to the water supply and controls delivery of water to the tank. When the tank’s water rapidly drops down into the bowl (upon a flush), the pressure causes the bowl’s waste water to go down the drain.
How big is a flush valve?
A flush valve is 2 1/2 inches in diameter as is the ball-shaped part of the flapper. The flapper hinges onto the vertical overflow pipe that’s next to the valve, and a small chain connects the flapper to the trip lever.
What happens when a toilet stopper is open?from thisoldhouse.com
With the stopper open, all the water in the tank rushes into the bowl. The rush of water activates a siphon, caused by the shape of the drain here, which pulls the waste out of the toilet. When the tank is empty, the stopper falls back over the hole , allowing the water supply to refill the tank.
What causes a siphon in a toilet?from thisoldhouse.com
The rush of water activates a siphon, caused by the shape of the drain here, which pulls the waste out of the toilet
What is a Siphon?from thisoldhouse.com
A siphon is a tube that allows liquid to travel upward, above the surface of the origin reservoir, then downwards to a lower level without using a pump.
Who demonstrated the principle of a siphon jet on a Glacier Bay toilet?from thisoldhouse.com
Richard demonstrated the principle of a siphon jet on a Glacier Bay toilet, though every toilet from every manufacturer operates using a similar siphon jet.
Does a toilet flush water?from thisoldhouse.com
Without electricity or any mechanicals, a toilet is able to flush away any wastewater into a sewer or septic system—proving to be quite a marvel for modern society. Richard shows how siphons are the basic principle that makes toilets work, even if the water supply in the house was turned off.
How to make a cistern with soda?
Dissolve a cup of bicarbonate of soda in vinegar, pour it into the cistern and let it sit overnight. In the morning, flush with hot water for sparkling results.
What to use to clean a cistern?
You can even use some of your homemade pastes and solutions with the plunger for super-effective cleaning. Just remember that plunging isn’t effective on things like rust stains.
How to clean calcium build up in toilet bowl?
Just mix two tablespoons of the stuff with one gallon of water in a jug and pour it into the cistern each time after your flush. This is another powerful combination that deals with any bacteria and cleaning stains from calcium build-up.
How to clean a cistern with vinegar?
Mix one part detergent to three parts vinegar in a jug and pour it into your cistern after each flush. If you have particularly stubborn stains, soaking overnight will help. Make sure you rinse the cistern thoroughly before using it again.
How to get yellow stains out of cistern?
This is another handy tip if your cistern has yellow stains – just cut a lemon in half and scrub the cistern with it to remove any built-up grime. The citric acid will help get rid of those stains, plus it leaves behind a fresh scent.
What to do if cistern is yellow?
If your cistern is already discoloured, for example if it’s yellow from age or rust stains, you can either replace it (which isn’t always an option) or try to clean it .
What to use to clean calcium build up in cistern?
If you have calcium or lime build-up on your cistern, a paste made from condensed milk and bicarbonate of soda is the answer.
